Forgive Me Father For I Have Sinned (Part III: chapter 6)

         Almost every child has watched or heard the story of Pinocchio; the story of a boy whose nose grows as he lies with a cricket representing his conscious. Jiminy cricket’s character and actions help the mind, the human and the living soul to make a choice. He focuses on right vs. wrong and good vs evil. While Jiminey Cricket is not walking around with Raskolnikov, an angel and devil are, in a way, sitting on Raskolnikov’s shoulders in these chapters even though he struggling to cope with his overwhelming emotions, his guilt, and wanting to execute his theory. In this section of the book, caught between guilt and his theory, Raskolnikov confesses his actions, to a point, and begins contradicting himself, while being prodded by those who suspect his involvement in the case. Out of paranoia, other people’s actions, the questions and facial expressions of Porfiry, and the encounter with the stranger (the artisan in the street) guide him towards impulsively checking for missed evidence and retreating to solitude. 
      While reading this section of the book, it was hard to distinguish if the artisan was real or just a figment of Raskolnikov's imagination. In my opinion, the artisan represents Raskolnikov's guilt. When the two men walk down the abandoned alley, the artisan does everything Raskolnikov does expect speak. The only time the artisan is heard is when he tells Raskolnikov he is murder. While Raskolnikov speaks in a hushed tone, the artisan speaks at him not to him. It is almost as if the artisan is yelling at him to wake up from his fake reality and confess. After this strange encounter with the artisan, Raskolnikov suddenly is on his couch dreaming. His dream in my perspective resembles his silent cry for salvation. He dreams about a church where one reflects on his sins and confesses. Raskolnikov subconsciously wants to be forgiven for his actions and wants to release the burden of his guilt.  
        When he wakes, Raskolnikov starts to wonder where the artisan came from. He describes the artisan as knowing everything and "rising from the ground". When reading this I connected the artisan with the devil. The devil, just like God, watches everything you do, just from below, waiting for you to mess up. The word "artisan" describes someone who is skilled in a certain profession but at the same time is interested in art. Poe described murder as an art form, something to be praised for. In recent t.v. series such as Dexter and American Horror Story, the murderers view their acts as something they should be proud of not thrown in jail for. Even though the artisan can resemble Raskolnikov's guilt, he could very well resemble someone who is praising Raskolnikov for his barbaric actions.